5/1/2020
Much has changed at St. Joseph Catholic STEM School. With school closed due to COVID-19, we want you to know how we have adapted to online learning. Now more than ever, we treasure the value of St. Joseph School’s mission, traditions and community.
When it became clear that students would not be allowed to return to school, St. Joseph converted to distance learning. We were up and running in just one week with each student having their own device to for their online learning. Through their iPad, Chromebooks, and/or laptops, students use “Zoom” to join their teachers and classmates at regularly scheduled class times, turned in homework through the SeeSaw application and through Microsoft Teams. Reading assignments, math problems, quizzes, papers and projects are being assigned. Work is evaluated, graded and recorded. Specialists are checking in with students who might be struggling and they have been available for 1 x 1 on-line appointments. Through the commitment of our dedicated faculty, the academic life of St. Joseph is every bit as strong.
Parents have praised the seamless transition and well-structured time. One parent shared that her daughter “LOVES the online learning. (She) is so happy to see her classmates and teachers and feels teachers get down to business…St. Joseph is pretty amazing and has got it together!!!”
While academics can be closely replicated online, cherished traditions like Field Day, the eighth-grade graduation and their trip to South Dakota, May Crowning, and spring sports are difficult to recreate. These are integral to St. Joe’s culture and history, and their absence leaves a hole in our collective hearts. Yet through the sophistication of technology, the expertise of our principal, Bruce Richards, and faculty, as well as the ingenuity of our students, we are doing our best to foster the St. Joe’s spirit.
Looking ahead, we prepare for a future that is not yet clearly defined. The fall school year may not be totally back to “normal.” Regardless of the format, our faculty will be at the center of outstanding academic delivery and continuing our C-STEM model of excellence!
Finally, we do not want to lose any students because of financial hardships created by the economic shutdown. We are anticipating that many more families will need tuition assistance due to loss of job or income, and we are committed to providing help. To do this, we rely on the support of our greater St. Joseph community. If you are able, we ask you to consider making a gift in support of our Virtual Saints Gala, this Saturday, May 2, 2020, to support families who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
Together, we can support our families in a greater financial capacity as well as continue to provide our staff with the support and professional growth they need in the coming school year.
Rob Bell
Advancement Director
St. Joseph Catholic School
rbell@stjosephwaconia.org
Emily Hagen
Communications, Marketing and Enrollment
St. Joseph Catholic School
ehagen@stjosephwaconia.org
